That’s what the Platte City Parks and Recreation Department is hoping for with its annual Fourth of July celebration this year, in particular when it comes to a 5K Memorial Walk/Run.
Meanwhile, the communities of Camden Point and Parkville are also bracing for their annual summer holiday celebrations.

Why the special emphasis on the walk/run event this year in Platte City? This year it's to raise money for a memorial scholarship in the honor of Kelsey Ryan. Kelsey was a Park Hill South High School student and a lifeguard at the Platte City Swimming Pool who died in a traffic accident on Interstate 29 on a snowy evening this past winter.

“We normally get about 20 runners,” said Dannie Stamper, director of Platte City Parks and Recreation. He said with proceeds this year going to the scholarship fund and an increased emphasis on the walk/run in advertising prior to the event, organizers are hoping to garner many more participants.

There’s a minimum $10 donation to take part in the walk/run. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. at the Platte County High School football field (Pirates Stadium). The run will begin at 7 a.m.
The first 60 people will receive memorial T-shirts. Those who register after the first 60 will have shirts ordered for them after the race.

For those who prefer not to walk/run in the event, a donation will still earn a T-shirt.
A free pancake breakfast will be held at the school immediately after the race.

The memorial event is just one of several activities planned as part of Platte City Parks and Recreation’s Ninth Annual 4th of July Celebration.

The day will be capped with a fireworks display beginning around 9:50 p.m. at Pirates Stadium. Traditionally, the fireworks show has drawn praise from onlookers who take their seats inside the stadium, and others who gather at other nearby locations to enjoy the sights and sounds.

Concessions for the night-time activities at the stadium will be available for purchase from the Pirate Booster Club.

Afternoon activities will take place at the Platte City Swimming Pool and the J.W. Lewis Park next to the pool. Those afternoon activities will include free hot dogs and sodas, pool games, a moonwalk, face painting and craft projects.

The complete schedule of events for Platte City’s 4th of July Celebration:

Camden Point’s annual Freedom Festival will be held this Saturday, June 28. Events will include a parade at 5:30 p.m., with special music, games and food starting at 6:30 p.m. at the city park. A huge fireworks display goes off at 9:30 p.m.

Organizers are planning “special vendors and fun stuff for the whole family.”

For more info on Camden Point’s festival, surf to www.camdenpointfreedomfestival.20fr.com

PARKVILLE WILL HOST
FOUR DAY CELEBRATION

Independence Day at Parkville will be a four-day celebration this year, to be held July 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the city’s historic downtown.

For more details on the Parkville event, see the advertisement in this issue of The Landmark on page B-1.

Some of the highlights will include a carnival and food vendors all four days.

On Friday, July 4, the annual parade will be held at 10 a.m. with Kevin Green as grand marshal and Bill Grigsby, the Prince of Parkville, as the emcee.

An exhibition sky diving team will also perform at 10 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the 4th.

A pancake breakfast will be held in downtown on July 4 at the American Legion.